Dry-pipe system



- July 22 1924 1,501,956

A. :J. LOEPSINGER DRY PIPE SYSTEM Filed April l8, 1922 2 Sheep-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR, A/Aer-Z' eo oszhyr ATTORNEYS Patented July 22, 1924.

UNETED TATES ALBERT J. LOEIPSINGER, OE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL PATENT OFFICE.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORAr TION OF NEW YORK.

DRY-PIPE SYSTEM.

Application filed April 18, 1922. Serial No. 554,911.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ALBERT J.-LEPs1NeER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dry- Pipe Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dry pipe distrii0 bution systems. More particularly it is designed, and its use is here illustrated, for systems in which there is a source of supply of water or other fire extinguishing fluid and a distribution system of piping from .3 which either open or automatic sprinklers, or other discharge means, is provided; this piping being normally filled with air, and the whole arranged for the extinguishing liquid, which is held in readiness, to pass 1 through whenever the needarises. Ordinarily the supply is held back by a so-called dry pipe valve which opens automatically when the occasion demands, either because of the reduction of pressure in the system :5 which follows upon the opening of a sprinkler head or because of the transmission of an impulse of some other. nature from the region where the fire occurs. But in some cases and especially where the liquid used is of a corrosive nature, there is danger of the dry pipe valve failing to operate owing to corrosion having occurred; and in these cases it is considered necessary either to dispense with the automatic feature and to rely upon the presence and action of a human operator to open the valve,'being summoned by an alarm when the fire breaks out, or to make the interior metalsurfaces of the valve inert by some method, as by coating with lead. Both of these methods are objectionable, the first as being uncertain and slower than automatic systems, and the second as being inconvenient and expensive,

particularly when the coating has to be applied to valve bodies and other necessarily odd shaped surfaces. 1

It is an object of the present invention to provide automatic means for admitting the extinguishing fluid into the distributing system upon the occurrence of a fire, which means dispenses with the need for a dry ipe valve of any type ordinarily signified by that term. It is an advantage of the invention that its principle is applicable either to open-sprinkler or automatic-sprinkler systems, and accordingly it is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus which makes possible the application of the principle to all sprinkler systemsin general, and to the systems of these two types'in particular.

The objects of the invention are. accoml plished by providing a system of distribution piping which normally contains air,

either at or above atmospheric pressure without any valve intervening between it and the source of supply and in position to be affected by the liquid which is held ready to be supplied. In fact there need beuno valve whatever intervening in a distribution system under atmospheric pressure, and

only a check valve, both sides of which are exposed to air, in a systemnormally above To this end the supply of such pressure. fire extinguishing liquid is stored in a tank so located and connected to the distribution system, that the liquid has free passage to the latter and yet is normally held back from it by the force of gravity. For example the tank may be in the basement of a building below the distributing pipes, or may be on the roof with an upward loop of pipe above the level of the fluid leading to the system below. There is provided a supply of stored energy adapted when the need 1 arises, to force the contents of the storage tank into the distribution system. In the embodiments of the inventions shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes, there is provided an air pressure tank and a valve separating it from the liquid tank, which valve is the control valve of the system and is exposed only to air on each side. Suitable apparatus is provided to operate this valve, as by a thermostatic contrivance in the case of an open sprinkler system; or by reduction of air pressure in the distribution system employing closed sprinklers. event, upon the opening of the air cont-r01 valve the extinguishing liquid is forced into the distribution system.

The application of the invention to both open and closed sprinkler systems is herein illustrated, but it will be understood that variations may be made from the precise apparatus illustrated and also-that although in each case the pressure supply is shown In either byjsuitable expression in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty egrist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

' Figure 1 is a representatioinin elevation gand so newhatdiagrammatic, of the application of the invention in connection with an open sprinkler system F I 2 is a similar representation of an applica of the invention to a closed i erin l i" ystem;

Figure 3 a diagrammatic representation of an 'application of the invention toa plural 1i i system; nd,

ignre 4; is a diagrammatic representation modified arrangement applicable to the .5. f s- 'sslfi, nd Referring to the dnawings the fire extinghqui is maint i d 11131 pp y l lwhich as illnstrated' in Figures 1, 2 and?) isi located below the level of the sprinklers 2,27. It being then necessary to fo gce the from the tank into the distribntions stem" 3 one convenient method of so. dciing i to admit pressureto the top of the storage tank to'foree the liquid through a discharge pipe at connected to the tank near its bottom? and leading upward to the distribution system. The'pressure may be provider 1 various ways, one of which is illus- 'trated in the drawings, wherein is shown a pressure tank 5 from which air may be introduced to the storage tank through a pipe connection 6 between the two. In this pipe islocated a control valve 7 7 which is normally closed to hold back the air pressure from the storage tank but which may be opened automatically when the need arises to .ad'i nitthe pressure to the liquid. tank and force the fire extinguishing agent through the system.

In Figure 1 the invention is illustrated as it may be applied in' connection with open sprinkle-rs in which case the control valve 7 is preferablyone that is electrically ope! ated u-pnn the fusing of anyone of series of thermostatic responsive elements 8 dis tributed in the areas to be protected by the system. The fusing of one ofthcse elements closes an electric circuit through the operating means 9 of the control valve 7, whereupon the latter is caused to open. This admits 'air pressure from the air supply tank inte the storage tank which in turn forces amines out the liquid into the distribution system from which it is discharged through the sprinklers. W hile the system is ready and waiting to operate, the liquid storage tank is vented to the atmosphere through an automatic ball drip valve 10 conveniently located in the air pipe 6 on the tank side of the control valve. This vent prevents the building up of any pressure in the storage tank which might be caused by. evolution of gas from the fire extinguishing liquid, by expansion or otherwise. Upon thecontrol valve opening, the drip valve is automatically closed by the sudden rush of air so that none of the latter is lost during its action upon the liquid.

l/Vhen closed sprinklers 2 are employed, another method of controlling the air pressure maybe adopted, such as is illustrated in Figure 2. In this arrangement the distribution system 3is supplied with air pressure through a bypass pipe 11 leading from the air supply tank 5. In thedistribution pipe, between the entrance point 11 of the by-pass and-the connection 4 with the discharge pipe of the liquid storage tank, there is provided a check valve 12 having a single clapper 12 so pivoted as to be closed on its seat by the air pressure in the distribution system. The function of this check valve is to prevent thisair pressure from acting on the liquid in the storage tank, so that the pressure on the liquid during static condition of the system, may be substantially atmospheric, this being insured by the presence of automatic ball drips 1O suitably connected to both the discharge pipe 4 and the storage tank 1 above the level of the liquid therein. The by-pass pipe 11 is also connected to a chamber at one end, in this case the top, of a control valve casing 7, whose body constitutes part .of the passage 6 between the air and liquid tanks, comprising a pipe from the air tank 5 entering the bottom of the casing and a pipe to the liquid tank 1. passing out from the side of the casing. W ithin this casing is housed the control valve, comprising a valve stem 1.3 having at its lower extremity a relatively small disk or poppet valve 14 adapted when seated to close off the pressure supply tank 5 and thus cut off the air supply to the liquid tank. On the upper end of the stem is a larger piston or dia phragm l5 whose perimeter fits the wall of the casing, and upon which the air pressure in the by-pass pipe 11 is exerted. The air pressure therefore acts upon both ends of the valve stem and since the intensity of pressure on both is the same, assuming the system to be quiet and ready, the poppet valve is held to its seat by the greater. total of effective pressure downward on the diaphragm, If the total or effective downward pressure on the diaphragm 15 falls to less than that upward on the poppet valve 14, the

latterwill rise and let air pass through o lll l i, the air enters both simultaneously.

from the supply tank to the top of the liquid tank 1. This occurs upon the opening of a sprinkler head, for such opening at once vents the distributionsystem to the atmosphereallowing the pressure in it and the bypass pipe 11 to fall. This reduction of pressure is made possible by the action of a small restriction valve 18 placed in the by-pass close by the supply tank, whose opening is much smaller than that of any sprin kler. Accordingly, upon the opening of one of the latter air flows out of the distribution system and bypass 11 faster than it enters through the restriction 18, thereby rapidly reducing the effective pressure on the diaphragm and presently allowing the control valve 14 to rise and open the air passage between the tanks.

When the poppet valve 14%, has been thus lifted from its seat, its return thereto is prevented during discharge by the engagement of a lug 13 on its stein-with a latch 16 ar ranged in the valve casing. This latch is held back against its impelling spring by the lug so long as the poppet is in its low seated position, but snaps into retaining position under the lug as soon as the latterv moves upward a short distance. This looking of the poppet valve open prevents its closure should the pressure on the dia phragm increase due to the backing up of the liquid through the by-pass pipe, or should the pressure in tank .5 diminish greatly. A safety valve 17 prevents over charging When air pressure is being stored in the system. L 1

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the arrangement of the connection when the invention is applied to a double storage tank system. In this embodiment thecoiitrol valve 7 admits air to both liquid tanks 1, 1 so that upon the opening of the poplplet 1e discharge therefrom will be as may have been arranged, either into a single distributing pipe, if desired, or, and as illustrated, assuming the liquids to be of different kinds, into separate conduits 3, 3 to sprinklers 2" designed for plural liquid discharge as in a chemical or foam system. Although the control valve of Figure 3 is shown as the type of valve used in the apparatus of Figure 2, it is obvious that other types of valves could equally well be employed. If the former is employed, and the distribution is through separate pipings, the by-pass pipe 11 would be connected to a short pipe 11 joining the two lines of distribution beyond the check valves 12 and 12, so that the air pressure in both systems would be equal. Although shown of unequal length in the drawings, the distance traveled by each liquid in moving from the separate tanks to the sprinklers can be made in practice substantially equal, so that both liquids will arsmaller supply of stored air i an upward loop of the discharge pipe I Once started the liquid will flow with greater force by gravity, and by siphon action.

1 claim as my invention:

1. A dry pipe system comprising a dis tributing pipe, means open to atmosphere for holding a supply of liquid therefor, whose location and connections ai'ford free passage for the liquid into the distribution pipe, and yet normally hold it back therefrom, as by gravity; means having a supply of compressed air adapted when released to flow into said holder; means actuated by inrush of air for closing said holder to at-- mosphere whereby said air forces said liquid into said pipe; and temperature controlled IDQZIILS'fOI releasing said air.- y y 2. A dry pipe distribution system includ ing, in combination, a distributing pipe contaming fluid under pressure greater than atmosphere, means for holding a supply of liquid. therefor at atmospheric pressure, comprising a connection from said'holding means to, the distributing pipe at a level 1 above thelevel of said liquid; means in said connection for holding back the pressure in the distributing pipe, adapted to permit flow of liquid thereto; and means held in restraint and adapted when released to exert pressure upon said liquid to raise it through said connection to the distributing pipe.

3. A dry pipe distribution system includ ing, in combination, a distributing pipe containing fluid under pressure greater than atmosphere, means for holding a supply of liquid therefor at atmospheric pressure, comprising a connection from said holding means to the distributing pipe at a level above the level of said liquid; means in said connection for holding back the pressure in the distributing pipe, adapted to permit flow of liquid thereto; means held in restraint and adapted'when released to exert pressure upon said liquid to raise it through said connection to the distributing pipe; and means actuated by rise of temperature to release said restrained means.

4. A dry pipe system, comprising a distributing pipe; means holding a supply of liquid therefor, whose location and connections afford free passage for the liquid into the distributing pipe and yet normally hold it back therefrom, as by gravity; means holding a supply of air under pressure, connected with the distributing pipe through a passage having a restriction permitting only slow flow of air therethrougli; a check valve preventing flow of air in the distributing pipe to the liquid; and means connecting said air supply with said liquid supply, comprising a valve having difierential surfaces exposed to the air'pressure in the air supply and to the air pressure in the distributing pipe; said valve being normally 3- closed, and being opened when the pressure in the distributing pipe falls, whereby the air supply is permitted to flow to said liquid to force it into the distributing pipe.

5. A dry pipe system comprising a distribution system under air pressure having closed automatic sprinklers; air pressure supply means connected thereto through a passage having a restriction permitting flow of air only at a rate slower than it can flow out from the system through the open sprinkler; a supply of fire extinguishing liquid having separate connections to the distribution system and to the air pres sure supply means; a check valve in its connection to the distribution system normally closed by the air pressurein the system, but adapted to open upon surge of the liquid through it; and a control valve in the connection to it from the-air supply; said control valve being open to and normally seated by the pressure in the distribution system; said control valve being adapted to open upon the reduction of'pressure in the distribution system, and thereby'to admit air pressure to the liquid supply and cause'discharge of said liquid into illlB'LllS tribution system.

, 6. A dry pipe system comprising a distribution pipe, a holder for liquid that is to be distributed, and an air pressure supply tank, these elements being arranged with relative location and connections afiording nee-1,956

free'passagefor theliquid' into the-distributing pipe and yet with the liquid normally held back therefronnas by gravity, and with the air pressure adapted to be applied to the liquid to force it into said distributing pipe, and yet normally held back therefrom by a control valve; connections from the liquid surfaces to atmosphere, adapted to be closed by rush of fluid; connection from the air pressure tank to the distribution pipe, whereby air pressure is maintained in the latter, said connection being through a restricted passage permitting only slow flow of'air and there being a check valve between the distribution pipe and the-liquid supply; and a control valve for the connec tion between air supply and liquid supply, normally held closed by the pressure int-he distribution pipe and adapted to open automatically upon fall of such pressure, thereby permitting the air to 'force the "liquid into the distribution pipe.

7. A dry pipe system comprising adistributing pipe containing fluid under pressure greater than atmosphere, liquid supply therefor having' a vent normally open to atmosphere and closableupon increase 0?. pressure on said liquid supply, air pressure means for forcing the liquid into the dis tributing pipe, and a drypipe valve oppositely pressed by air in the distribution sys-- tem and by air in the air pressure supply:

and connections whereby said dry pipe valve, opening upon diminution of the dis-- tr1but1on system pressure upon it, admits air pressure to said liquid supply to close itsvent and to force the liquid into the distribution system. I

Signed at Boston, Massachusetts this seventeenth day of April, 1922.

ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER. 

